I don't know, seems pretty clear cut to me
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The Reds already have a guy who can do what Tavaras can do. His name is Norris Hopper. For the record, I think Hopper is a AAA player or last man on the bench. Signing Tavaras doesn't add anything. It simply pushes an interchangeable guy off the roster, costs money and locks us into whatever ABs Dusty will waste on the guy.
Corey Patterson was a superior defender, had more power, had similar speed and on base ability. If you thought last year was bad, wait until you get a load of the next two years with Taveras out there. Here is hoping that Taveras can replicate 2007, but don't hold your breath.
This does solve the LH bench bat problem. It appears that Mr. Dickerson will be filling that role.
The only way to recover from this would be to sign Manny for LF.
Added to the mix? Here's what Jocketty said:
"Willy Taveras fills two significant needs for our ball club, a speed base stealing threat at the top of the order and superior defense in center field," said Jockettty.
That's not what you say when you add a 4th or 5th OF or utility type. That's what you say when you've just brought in a guy you want as a starting position player. We don't even have to read between the lines in the slightest to get that from the press release.
I wish they could have at least waited until February 2nd to make this signing.
That would have been appropriate.
Bout Time Walt!
You made us wait long enough....
What a stupid, stupid move. This completely dampens my optimism for the 2009 season. Chris Dickerson is much better than Taveras. I've lost faith in Jocketty.
Remember when Krivsky was bludgeoned for signing Patterson? Well, this is much worse than the Patterson signing. At least Patterson could play defense and hit an occasional homer.
I don't see the Reds signing a LF now. Dickerson isn't the bat off the bench, he's the LF.
The Reds replaced Adam Dunn with Chris Dickerson.
The Reds replaced Corey Patterson with Willy Taveras.
and got weaker at BOTH positions.
Let's be generous and say Tavares replaces Freel. Who here would be happy if Walt came out and said "With Ryan Freel, we think we've found the answer to our CF and leadoff problem." Yeah, I didn't think so. Then you consider that offensively, Tavares is no Freel...
well, it wasn't a very exciting move. Expected and kinda boring and I personally am not really excited at the prospect of Tavares roaming CF(and less excited to read about him here daily).
I will say though that Krusty was on to something when talking about talent evaluation....'ole Walt has proven himself to be a winner in the past and since I've never actually built a winner(save my 1999 yahoo fantasy championship...yea baby!)I'm gonna give the 'ole dude the benefit of the doubt here and assume he's smarter than me and has some sort of plan...a method to his madness if you will.
I WAS kinda hoping that Hairston was coming back(though I doubt if he can live up to the bar he set for himself last season) but I'm guessing that would make this deal pointless....unless of course AGon has had his knee surgically removed and they're planning a SS platoon.